Automatic temperature-regulator.



B. F. TEAL, DECD. 1;. R. TEAL, EXEGUTRIX.

AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED, JULY 22, 1910.

1,067,627, Patented July 15, 1913.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

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B. F. TEAL, DEOD.

B R. TEAL, BXEOUTRIX.

AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1910.

Patented July 15, 1913.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

8% I VENTOR WITNESSES HTIUI'INEIS A citizen of the United States,

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BENJAMIN IE. TEAL, 0F GLENSIDE,PENNSYLVANIA; ELLA R. TEAL, EXECUTRIX OF SAID BENJAMIN F.

TEAL, DECEASED.

I AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE-REGULAIEOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 15, 1913'.

Application filed July 22, 1910; Serial No. 573,163.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. TEAL, a I

residing at Glenside, county of Montgomery, State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented a new and useful Automatic Temperature-Regulator, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful devices for automaticallyregulating temperatures, in which the controlling action is derived fromthe source of heat or cold from which the desired temperature isproduced. While such a device is capable of a large range ofapplications in the regulation of both heat and cold, the particularform hereinafter shown and described, is for regulating temperature inthe heating of buildings by the ordinary means of hot air,althoughequally applicable to hot water and steam.. In-one class of existingdevices of this character, the regulation is obtained from a thermostatlocated in the room to be heated,

by which the effects of the maximum and minimum temperature, for whichthe instrument is adjusted, are electrically transmitted to a suitablemechanism for operating the furnace draft, and thereby regulating thefire so as'to maintain the desired temperature in the room. A veryserious defect, in-

herent in this method of regulation, lies in the fact that, so long asthe temperature of the room is below the degree for which the thermostatis adjusted, the draft of furnace remains on, and as a' consequence, thefire may burn away to a degree which is not only wasteful of fuel, butalso, in the case of many furnaces, may become dangerous fromoverheating of the furnace and of the pipes for conveying the hot airthroughout the building. It is obvious, therefore, that economy andsafety require that a certain, amount of attentionand hand regulation beresorted to, to supplement this incomplete automatic action of thedevice. In another type of apparatus the device is attached to andactuated by the source of heat or temperature changing device; forexample, the hot air furnace or the boiler, and controls the fire byoperating the furnace drafts independently of the temperature of theroom or rooms to be heated; In this case, so long as the temperature isbelow the maximum degree for which the thermostat is adjusted, thedrafts will remain on, although the temperature of the room may be farin excess of the required point. The only remedy for this defect is handregulation.

The object of my invention is to providein combination with a furnaceregulation by the temperature of the room-a supplemental control of theheating source or temperature generator by means of its own temperature,and to do this by a method which renders the action of each of the twoelements independent for shutting off the furnace drafts, but whichmakes them interdependent in putting drafts on. The result of thecombination is that the respective deficiencies of the two before namedsystems are provided for in a manner which renders the controlabsolutely automatic; not only obviating the necessity for handregulation,

but also insuring a reliable temperature (in rooms) for a givenadjustment.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a thermostat suitably located inone of the rooms to be heated; a supplemental thermostat located in, orin suitable relation to, the temperature generator; and a suitablemeans, common to and electrically connected to,,both, for operating thefurnace drafts.

For the purpose of a clearer description I have designated a thermostat,located in a room to beheated, as the controller anda second instrumentsuitably connected with the hot ..air chamber or furnace, the thermostatThe means for actuating the furnace draft is called a motor and iscommon to both controller and thermostat.

In the drawings I have shown a construction for the automatic control ofthe' furnace, which I have found operates successfully inprac-ti'ce, butit will be evident that the arrangement of the -parts and applicationmay be varied; other instrumentalities' may-be employed, and changes maybe made in the construction which will come within the scope of myinvention, and I do not therefore desire to be limited, in everyinstance, to the exact form as herein shown and described, since thesame is only by way of illustration of the spirit of my invention and Idesire to. make such changes,

as may be necessary.

Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view showing a furnace and themeansfor automatic regulation of the temperature, in suitable connectiontherewith. -Fi g. 2 represents a diagrammatic view on an enlarged scale,showing the electrical circuits.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

Referring to the drawings: 1 designates afurnace suitably located,having a smoke flue 2 controlled by a damper 3 for check draft, andhaving a damper 4 controlling the air admission or draft to the furnace.

5 designates a motor, suitably situated with respect to the furnace,which is of any suitable or desired construction, and which, in thepresent instance, is provided with a lever 6 in suitable connection withthe operative parts of the motor, one end of which lever is connectedwith the damper 4 by.

means of the connection 7; while the opposite end of the lever issuitably connected with the damper 3 for a check draft, by theconnection 8, said connections being secured to said lever upon oppositesides of its pivotal point 9.

10 designates a controller which is located at a suitable point in aroom or other 10- cality to be heated, said controller being of anysuitable or desired construction, and is provided with a thermostaticelement 11, one end of which is suitably connected with the cont-roller,and the opposite end is movable between, and is adapted to contact with,one or the other of the two contact points 12 and 13 which are suitablymounted upon the controller 10. y

14 designates a binding post in suitable connection with the contactpoint 12 and 15 designates a binding post in suitable connection withthe contact point 13, said controller 10 having a third contact post 16which is in suitable connection with the battery.

17 designates a connection binding post carried by the motor 5, whichlatter is also provided with a binding post 18, which is in suitableconnection with the operative parts of the motor, in order that when thecircuit is closed the motor is actuated to close the drafts, as will behereinafter set forth.

19 designates a binding post which is in suitable connection with thebattery of the motor, and 20 designates a binding post which is insuitable connection with the operative portion of the motor 5, in orderthat when the circuitis closed the motor is actuated to open the drafts,as will be hereinafter set forth.

21 designates a conductor, connected at one end with the binding post 14of the controller, and at the opposite end, with the closing draft post18 of the motor.

22 designates a conductor which is in suitable connection with thebinding post 15 of able connection with the battery binding post 16 ofthe controller and with the battery post '19 of the motor.

24 designates a thermostat, which is suit ably located with respect tothe furnace,

and which is of any suitable. or desired construction, and which isprovided with a v thermostatic element 25 which, in the presentinstance, extends suitably intoand is suitably supported in the furnace1; said thermostatic element, 25, being provided with or havingconnected thereto, a member 26 formed of nonconducting material, asuitable portion of which is adapted to be seated between, andpreferably in contact with, the two vibrators 27 and 28 which aresuitably carried by the thermostat 24.

29 designates a binding post which is in suitable connection with acontact point 30 and 31- designates a-binding post in suitableconnection with a contact point 32, these parts being suitably mountedand supported by the thermostat 24, it being understood that the contactpoint 32, in the present instance, is one with which the vibrator 28will contact when the temperature is such that the draft is on; and thecontact point 30 is the one, in the present instance, with which thevibrator 27 will contact in order thatv the draft will beshut ofi.

33 designates a conductor which is in suitable connection 'with theconnection post 17 of the motor, and with the binding post 31 of thethermostat 24.

34 designates a conductor which is in suit able connection with theclosing draft post 18 ofthe motor, and with the binding post 29 of thethermostat 24.

35 designates a binding post on the therthe. motor, and also with thebinding post 35 to the thermostat.

38 designates a conductor which is in suitable connection with theopening draft a post 20, of the motor 5, andalso withthe binding post36, of the thermostat 24.

As will be noted, the,contact post 16 of the controller 10 is insuitable connection with the binding post 19 through the medium of theconductor 23 and that said binding post 19 is in suitable connectionwith the battery through conductor 45, while the said battery is inconnection with the magnets through the medium of the conductor 44, saidmagnets being also connected with the contact point 50 of the motorthrough the medium of the conductor 46. The binding P 18 s n e ed w ththe co a t P n 49 of the motor through the conductor 48 while thebinding post 20 is connectedwith, the contact point 51 of the motorthrough the medium of the conductor 17. It will be understood that thesaid contact points 19, and 51 will the contact piece or. switch 52 ofthe motor in order to close the pro er circuits. As soon as the movementof t e Inotor occurs through the magnets being energized by thecompletion of the circuit to the thermostats,

the complete movement of the motor will shift the'switch from its thenposition to the opposite position thus openingthe circuit previouslyestablished and closing it for the next movement of the thermostats. Forexample, it will be understood that the parts are in the position seenin Fig. 2, the strip 11 has been moved, the temperature, to

' contact with the point 12, prior to, which contact the contact piece52' of the motor was in engagement with the contact point 49 and 50 ofthe motor and the flow. Of current at that time is as follows fro m thebinding post 19, through the. conductor 23, through the strip 11, point12, conductor 21, binding post 18, through conductor 48 to contact point49, through contact piece 52, contact point 50 and thence through theconductor 46, through the magnetsand conductor 4&1

to the other pole. of the battery, this closed circuit energizes themagnets to operate the motor in order to move the contact piece 52 inorder that the same will contact both with the contact point 50 and 51as shown, the circuit through 49 is broken, and at the same time movingthe dampers to shut ofi the draft. Should the strip 27 be in contactwith the point 30 the flow of current will "now be from the binding,post 19 through.

the conductor 37 through strip 27 ,point 30 and through conductor 31 tobinding-post 18 and thence through the, magnet to the battery, aspreviously described, it being understood that the contact piece 52wasthen in engagement with the contact points 4:9 and 50.

The above description will show the absolute independence of the twocircuits in I closing the dampers toclose the draft. To

show the interdependence of the circuits to put on the dampers, thefollowing would be the course of the current:from binding post 19,through conductor 23, through strip 11 and point 13, through conductor22, bind ing post 17, through conductor 33 to point 32, through strip 28and-conductor. 38 to binding post 20, through conductor 47,

through contact point 51," contact piece 52 and contact point 50,through conductor 46 to magnets and conductor iii to thebattery, thuscompletingthe circuit From this it will be seen if either of the str ps11 or 28v are out of contact with their proper points,

he alternately in contact with the circuit will.

through the contact binding post 15, con by the conductor 33, to andthencev through the. contact point 32, and through the vibrator 28,through the lows: When the parts are 1n the position 1 seen in thefigures it will be noted that the thermostatic element 11, of thecontroller 10, is in contact with the contact point 12;

while the vibrator 28 is in contact with the.

contact point 32. In this position the; draft is ofil, that is to say,the air damper 4 is closed, by reason of the fact that the circuit which'actuates the motor. for opening the damper, is open, since the currentwould, when the parts are in this position, pass from the battery post19, through the conductor 23, to. the binding post 16, and through thethermostatic element 11, to the contact point 12, and through thebinding post 14:, and conductor 21,. to the closing binding post 18 onthe motor, which would operate the latter to. move the lever 6- to aposition, to close the damper & and open the .moved, by this, over intocont-act with the contact point 13 immediately upon which be closed inthe followin manner: from the battery post 19 through the conductor 23to the binding post 16, thence to the. thermostatic element 11, oint 13,through the uctor 22, to post 17 the binding post 31',

binding post 36, and. the conductor 38, to the opening. binding post 20,on; the motor, which is actuated ,to. open the damper 4E, and to closethe damper 3, the same-remaining in this position until the desiredtemperature in the room-is reached, when the thermostatic element 1.1 isreturned to its position seen in the figures, at which time (exceptunder conditions as hereinafter stated) the motor is operated aspreviously described, to again close the damper 4 and to again open thedamper 3. It will thus be seen that in order to throw on the draft it isnecessary for the circuit to pass through the controller. and throughthe thermostat, so that it is necessary that the thermostatic element ofboth of these'parts be inproper position, so that the on-draft circuitis closed, thus. the controller and thermostat are interdependent forthrowing or putting on the draft. 1 e

In some'instances it 'may occur that while the temperature in the roomhas not been.

raised to a sufiieient point to actuate the thermostatic element 11 toclose off the draft, the fire'in the furnace would reach a predeterminedtemperature where it is desirable to check the draft; when this occursthe thermostatic element of-the thermostat will be actuated in order tomove the vibrator 27 into contact with the contact point 30, thusremoving the vibrator 28 from contact with the contact point 32,immediately upon which the circuit will be closedfrom the battery post19 through the conductor 37 to the binding post 35, through the vibrator27, contact point 30, binding post 29, and conductor 34:, to the closingbinding post18, of the motor 5, which latter will immediately beactuated to close the damper land open the check draft damper 3 and stopthe draft. It will thus be seen that the controller and the thermostatare independent of each other for closing the damper and so shutting 01fthe draft, that is to say, the thermostatic'element of the controller,in one-position, closes a circuit with the motor for shutting oif thedraft this being accomplished through the circuit from the batterybinding post 19 through conductor 23 and the binding post 16 of thecontroller through thermostatic element 11, contact point 12, bindingpost 14, conductor 21, through binding post 18 of the motor which closesthe circuit and is operated to close the drafts. The thermostaticelement of the thermostat in one position closes a circuit with themotor for shutting off the draft, the circuit in this position beingthrough the battery binding post 19, through conductor 37, binding post35, vi'

brator 27 of the thermostat, contact point- 80, binding post 29 andconductor 34; to the motor binding post 18 which closes the circuit toclose or shut off draft. In this way it will be seen that the controllerand the thermostat are independent of each other, through the circuitsjust described, for closing the damper and so shutting off the draft. Toput on the draft, both of the thermostatic elements are in a thirdcircuit with the motor, in order that both thermostats must be in properposition to close the said third circuit to put on the draft, thiscircuit being as follows: from the battery binding post 19 through theconductor 23, binding post 16, thermostatic element 11 with the contactpoint 13, against which the element 11 has been moved, through thebinding post 15, conductor 22, binding post 17, conductor 33, bindingpost 31, contact point 32, vibrator 28 of the thermostat, binding post36, conductor 38 to binding post 20 of the motor which closes thecircuit to operate the opening of-the draft.- From this it will be seenthat if either of the thermostatic elements 11 or 28 are out of contactwith the respective contact points 13 and 32 the circuit will not beclosed, and the draft will not be put on, or, in other words, thecontroller and the thermostat are interdependent in order to put on thedraft.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the character stated, a temperature changing device, acontrolling means located at a suitable point and adapted to beactuated, depending upon the temperature thereat, a second controllingmeans situated within said temperature changing device, and subjecteddirectly to the radiant heat and to the products of combustion of thefire without the interposition of a transmitting medium, actuating meansin suitable connection with said temperature changing device forcontrolling the same, and electrical circuits between said firstcontrolling means and actuating means, and between said secondcontrolling means and said actuating means, whereby the actuating meansis operated to increase or decrease the action of the temperaturechanging device, said electrical circuits being interdependent forincreasing the action and independent for decreasing the same.

2. In a device of the character stated, a temperature changing device, acontroller located at a suitable point and adapted to be actuated,depending upon the temperature thereat, a thermostat situated withinsaid temperature changing device and subjected directly to the radiantheat and to the products of combustion of the fire without theinterposition of a transmitting medium, a motor in suitable connectionwith said temperature changing device for controlling the same, andelectrical circuits between said controller and motor, and between saidthermostat and motor, whereby the motor is actuated to increase ordecrease the action of the temperature changing device, said electricalcircuits being interdependent for increasing the action and independentfor decreasing the same.

3. In a device of the character stated, a temperature changing device, acontroller actuated by the temperature at a desired point, a thermostatsituated directly within said temperature changing device and subjecteddirectly to the radiant heat and to theproducts of combustion of thefire without the interposition of a transmitting medium, a motor insuitable connection with said temperature changing device forcontrolling the same, an electrical circuit for each movement betweensaid controller and said motor for actuating said motor to decrease theaction ofsaid changing device, an electrical circuit for each movementbetween said thermostat and said motor for, actuating said motor todecrease the action of said changing device, and an electricalconnection between said controller, said thermostat and said motor toincrease the action of said temperature changing device. 4. In a deviceof the character stated, a

temperature changing device, a motor in a thermostaticelement situatedWithin said 10 temperature changing device and subjected directly to theradiant heat and to the products of combustion of the fire Without theinterposition of a transmitting medium, an electrical circuit for saidthermostat and 15 said motor, said element in one position closing saidcircuit to actuate theunotor to decrease the action of said changingdevice, and an electrical circuit between said motor, said controllerand said thermostat, the last mentioned circuit being controlled by the20 two thermostatic elements, and said circuit being closed, .Whensaid'elements are in their other positions, respectively, to actuate themotor to increase the action of the said changing device.

BENJAMIN F. TEAL.

Witnesses:

WM. CANER WIEDERSEIM,

C. D. MCVAY.

